How much of my money actually goes to serving those in need?
89 cents of every contributed dollar goes directly toward investments in programs that work for positive change in our communities. (This is significantly above the 65 cent mark recommended as a maximum by the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.) Only 11 cents of every dollar is used for United Way administrative expenses, of which 7 cents is for fund raising costs.

How much does United Way of America pay in dues that leave the county?
Dues to United Way of America are 0.75% of monies raised locally by United Way of Kenosha County. Dues to United Way Wisconsin are 0.15% of monies raised. United Way dues “buy” important services for United Way of Kenosha County, like market research, staff training opportunities, marketing materials (such as the NFL ads seen on television), etc.

Can a corporation designate a gift to a specific agency or agencies?
While United Way allows individuals to designate a portion or their entire United Way gift to go to a specific charitable health and human service agency, corporations are not allowed to designate. Their gift to the Community Care Fund of United Way of Kenosha County reflects the Fund’s emphasis on the needs of the whole county.

Can an individual exclude an agency from receiving a portion of my United Way gift?
All United Way agencies provide valuable services to the community. However, if individuals feel strongly about a particular agency, they may indicate on the Designated Donation form that they want a specific agency excluded from their United Way gift.

How do I know that my United Way gift is going to truly needy people?
Approved programs are required to provide evidence that funds will be used for the needy. In Kenosha County, this typically means individuals and families that are living at 125% of the U.S. poverty level or lower. The U.S. poverty level is now defined at $18,400 for a family of four.

Why do some agencies charge fees for their services?
Many United Way agencies use a sliding fee scale where clients pay what they can for the services they receive. By allowing clients to pay for services, agencies are able to stretch their United Way dollars to serve more people who are not able to pay.

Does United Way of KenoshaCounty fund Planned Parenthood?
No.

What is the position of United Way of KenoshaCounty on funding Boy Scouts?
United Way’s Board of Directors feels that the boys and young men served by Boy Scouts of America receive a positive, formational experience that is worthy of United Way funding.

How do designated donations affect program funding?
In accordance with its Donor Bill of Rights, United Way forwards all designated donations (minus a processing fee) to the qualifying designated agency. If the agency is already receiving an allocation for a funded program through United Way, the designated donation is in addition to that allocation. However, designated donations do take away from the dollars available to United Way’s Community Care Fund, which allocates monies to many different programs serving the most urgent health and human service needs in Kenosha County. In other words, designated donations make for less of a “pie” to allocate to qualifying programs.

Can designated gifts not go to a specific agency?
Designated gifts must equal a minimum of $50 per agency. Also, qualifying agencies must be IRS-certified as a 501(C)(3) charitable, health and human service agency, and must be providing direct services to clients. If the designated agency does not meet these requirements, United Way will make every attempt to contact the donor to correct the designation or determine another funding preference. If these efforts fail, the designated gift will be allocated to United Way’s Community Care Fund.

Why doesn’t United Way include all organizations?
Not all agencies want to be a part of a single, community-wide campaign. Also, United Way standards of financial accountability and the impact of program services are high. In addition, in order to have a greater impact on positively changing community conditions, United Way has limited its funding allocations to programs which address Kenosha County’s most urgent health and human service needs.

When are agencies determined for funding by United Way?
Agencies file a pre-application Letter of Intent with United Way in early fall. Their full application, with financial information is due in late fall. Agencies make personal presentations to the Community Review Committees in late winter. United Way’s Community Investment Committee makes its recommendations for funding to the United Way Board of Directors for final approval in early spring. The agency funding cycle is from July 1 – June 30.

How do agencies qualify for United Way funding?
They must be IRS-certified as a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization and be a health and human service agency providing direct services to the people of Kenosha County. The qualifying program must fall under one of United Way’s focus areas: Strengthening Families, Youth & the Elderly; Health and Wellness; Crisis Management; and Self-sufficiency. (United Way focus areas are currently under review and may be changed for the 2005-2006 funding cycle). The applying agency must provide accompanying financial documentation, e.g., most recent audited financial statement, current agency budget and balance sheet, and current program budget

I support a favorite charity of my own. Why give to United Way too?
We all have favorite charities, but the problems of Kenosha County are much larger than any one agency can handle. Through its allocations, United Way offers a broad mix of programs and services, called a Circle of Care, which meets diverse and urgent needs of Kenosha County. Because of its broad scope, the United Way campaign helps keep individual agency fund-raising costs low too. This is especially important to agencies which do not have fund raising or promotional staff of their own.

Does United Way money support church-related activities?
Some programs funded by United Way are affiliated with churches. Only programs which meet a critical community need are funded. United Way funds only the service programs, not the religious activities, of these agencies. Services by all United Way agencies are based on need, regardless of age, sex, race or religion.

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